Community Facilities Existing Conditions
Community Facilities Existing Conditions
Table of Contents
OVERVIEW ...... 4
FULL SERVICE UTILITY SYSTEM ...... 5 Water System ...... 5 Water Filter Plant……………………………………………………...... 5 Emergency Water Connections……………………………………...... 6 WFP - Finished Water Pumping Capacity…………………………… 6 Finished Water Storage………………………………………………... 6 Historic Water Demands and Revenue……………………………...... 7 Wastewater System ...... 10 Wastewater Treatment Plant/Treatment Capacity…………………… 10 Wastewater Collection System…………………………………………. 11 Historic Wastewater Loadings and Revenue…………………………. 11 Electric ...... 12 Facilities and Operations………………………………………………... 12
STORMWATER ...... 14
SOLID WASTE ...... 15 Garbage……………………………………………………………………15 Recycling…………………………………………………………………. 16 Waste and Recycling Trends…………………………………………… 16
TELECOMMUNICATIONS ...... 17 Comporium Group ...... 17
ROCK HILL WI-FI ...... 17 Facilities and Operations………………………………………………... 17
ROCK HILL/YORK COUNTY AIRPORT ...... 19 Facilities and Operations……………………………………………….. 19 Airport Overlay District ...... 20 Airport Master Plan ...... 20 Funding and Improvements ...... 20
NATURAL GAS ...... 20 Facilities and Operations……………………………………………….. 20
COMMUNITY SAFETY ...... 21 Police Protection ...... 22 Facilities and Operations………………………………………………... 22
Focus 2020: The Comprehensive Plan for Rock Hill December 2015 1 Community Facilities
Fire Protection ...... 25 Facilities and Operations………………………………………………... 25 Equipment and Response………………………………………………. 26
HOMETOWN SECURITY ...... 29 Facilities and Operations………………………………………………... 29
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND MANAGEMENT ...... 29 Facilities and Operations……………………………………………….. 29 Plans………………………………………………………………………. 30
HEALTHCARE SERVICES ...... 31 Facilities and Operations ...... 31
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES ...... 32 Rock Hill District Three Schools ...... 32 Facilities and Operations………………………………………………... 32 Plans & Studies………………………………………………………….. 33 Charter Schools ...... 34 York Preparatory Academy…………………………………………….. 34 Riverview Academy……………………………………………………… 34 Private Schools ...... 35 Westminster Catawba Christian School (WCCS)……………………. 35 Saint Anne Catholic School……………………………………………. 35 York Technical College ...... 35 Facilities and Operations……………………………………………….. 35 Clinton College ...... 35 Facilities and Operations……………………………………………….. 36 Winthrop University ...... 36 Facilities and Operations……………………………………………….. 36 Parks and Recreation ...... 39 Facilities and Operations……………………………………………….. 39 Libraries ...... 42 General Government Facilities ...... 43 City Facilities ...... 43 County Facilities ...... 43 State and Federal Facilities...... 44
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List of Tables, Figures, and Maps
Table 1: Rock Hill Crime Statistics ...... 25 Table 2: Rock Hill Crime Rates ...... 25 Table 3: Rock Hill District Three Schools ...... 33 Table 4: Other Primary and Secondary Institutions ...... 34 Table 5: Rock Hill Parks & Recreation Centers ...... 39 Table 6: Joint Use Facilities ...... 40
Figure 1: Water Customers, Sales, and Demand ...... 8 Figure 2: Wastewater Customers, Sales, and Loadings ...... 12 Figure 3: Electric System Customers (2003-2014) ...... 14 Figure 4: Garbage and Recycling Generation ...... 16 Figure 5: Rock Hill Service Call Data (2010-2014) ...... 26
Map 1: Water and Wastewater Service Territories ...... 9 Map 2: Electric Service Areas and Territories ...... 13 Map 3: York County Natural Gas Service Territory ...... 21 Map 4: Police Facilities and Patrol Zones ...... 23 Map 5: Fire Stations and Service Areas ...... 28 Map 6: School Facilities ...... 38 Map 7: Parks and Recreation Facilities ...... 41
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Community Facilities Existing Conditions
OVERVIEW
The intent of the Community Facilities Element is to provide general information about the community facilities and services currently offered within Rock Hill and the larger Planning Area, with the exception of transportation related facilities, which are addressed in a separate element of this Plan (see Transportation Element). Community facilities and services are needed to provide basic levels of health and safety, while others help to maintain a high quality of life, promote job creation and create a more sustainable economy. Because these facilities and services are provided and maintained by a variety of organizations, this element assesses both public- and private- sector utilities and community facilities in order to show the need for cooperation and a shared vision. This element presents an inventory and analysis of existing conditions and needs for capital facilities and utilities, community safety, education, and other government facilities. As the City’s population grows, it may be necessary to build more facilities or consider providing new services. Rock Hill will be challenged to meet the additional demand while maintaining levels of service for current constituents. Through this element, Rock Hill and its partner agencies can better ensure that the current and future infrastructure needs of the community are met as the population continues to grow. The Community Facilities Element is directly related to many of the elements in the Plan as follows: Land Use Element – Land development patterns are largely determined by available infrastructure and services, such as water, sewer, electric, fire protection, and school locations. The Land Use Element and Community Facilities Element must be coordinated to reduce sprawl and minimize strain on infrastructure systems and community services. Housing Element – Impact fees collected from new housing developments help fund capital infrastructure improvement projects while the availability of facilities and services affect peoples’ housing decisions. Transportation Element – The availability or lack of transportation affects peoples’ ability to participate in or benefit from the provision of certain community facilities and services. Cultural Resources Element – Cultural resources such as schools and libraries are important community facilities that offer programs and services to enrich lives and enhance quality of life. Economic Development Element – The City’s economic growth and ability to attract and retain employers is largely dependent on the infrastructure and services available. Priority Investment Element – Through this element, planned public infrastructure and facilities’ projects are prioritized and coordinated with adjacent and relevant jurisdictions and agencies.
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FULL SERVICE UTILITY SYSTEM
The City of Rock Hill owns and operates a full service utility system, providing water, wastewater, and electrical service within the City and its surrounding areas. The system presently serves approximately 95,000 customers throughout the City and larger Planning Area.
Water System
The City of Rock Hill has owned, operated, and maintained its own Water Filter Plant (WFP) and distribution system since 1911. Through these facilities, the City provides potable water service to the majority of residential, retail/commercial, and industrial facilities and/or structures within the City limits. The City also serves as the regional provider for potable water, servicing select properties in the City’s Water and Sewer Service Territory that extends outside the Planning Area as well as wholesale customers (i.e., York County, City of York, Town of Fort Mill, and the Catawba Indian Nation) (see Map 1). These wholesale customers serve other unincorporated areas of the County, the Lake Wylie Community including River Hills, the City of York and outlying areas, and the majority of Fort Mill Township including the City of Tega Cay and Town of Fort Mill.
Raw Water Intake/Pumping The City obtains its source water from the Catawba River, the majority of which is withdrawn from Lake Wylie. The City has permitted its (raw) water withdraw up to 60 million gallons per day (MGD) to accommodate future water system growth. To provide adequate capacity, the City upgraded its intake facility’s pumping capacity in 2013 from 30 MGD to 48 MGD to accommodate the planned 36- to 48-MGD expansion to the City’s WFP. Raw water from the Lake Wylie Intake Facility is transported through a 54-inch pipe to the WFP.
In 2008, the City updated the Catawba River Raw Water Intake Facility to provide additional raw water pumping capacity (up to 6 MGD) for peak usage times and emergency purposes. Raw water from the Catawba River Raw Water Intake Facility is transported through a 20-inch pipe to the WFP.
The locations of these two intake facilities are shown on Map 1.
Water Filter Plant Originally built in 1946, the City’s WFP was expanded in 2008 to increase its treatment capacity from 30 MGD to 36 MGD. The current demands on the plant are about half that amount, and therefore it is believed that the current permitted capacity will accommodate water system growth through the 2020 planning horizon. The location of the WFP is shown on Map 1.
Although plant capacity is adequate through the 2020 planning horizon, several factors have been introduced that create the need for additional future capacity at the plant. Currently two WFPs exist in York County – the City of Rock Hill’s WFP located along Cherry Road and the City of York’s WFP located along West Liberty Street. However, in 2014 the City of York signed a wholesale service agreement with the City of Rock Hill to supply its short- and long-term water needs. The City of York currently draws approximately 600,000 gallons per day through York County’s system to supplement water treated at their plant, and it is anticipated that the amount of withdraw will increase to 1.6 MGD in 2016. There is currently a piping connector and water booster station being planned along SC Route 161 in the Newport Community to accommodate the City of York’s future water demands, and as soon as these improvements are placed in operation, the City of York intends to shut down and abandon its WFP.
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Additionally, several businesses have expressed an interest in locating in Rock Hill or the surrounding area, many of which have indicated large water demands.
Due to the City of York’s planned abandonment of their WFP and the business interests in the area, among other factors, the City of Rock Hill is planning to expand capacity of its WFP from 36 MGD to 48 MGD. Many of the needed infrastructure improvements to accommodate the planned plant expansion have been incorporated into past improvement projects. The City plans to begin design and permitting for the plant expansion in 2015. Construction, which is anticipated to take two years to complete, is scheduled to begin in July 2017.
The WFP operates a laboratory to monitor water quality according to national drinking water standards as required by the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC) serves as a coordinating agency for the State’s Source Water Assessment and Protection Program (SWAP), providing assessments and implementing safeguard measures to further protect the health of public water system consumers.
Emergency Water Connections York County currently has three emergency water connections in place with Charlotte Water (formerly operating as Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities). These three connections are located in the Carowinds area. A fourth connection is planned near River Hills at Buster Boyd Bridge in the Lake Wylie Community. In case of a major emergency, temporary booster stations can be installed to back feed the water systems in York County. However, the system has not been modeled, and therefore it is not known how much the City of Rock Hill can receive through this avenue if needed.
Emergency connections to the surrounding water systems owned and operated by Chester Metropolitan District (Chester Metro) and Lancaster Water and Sewer District (LCWSD) are not possible due to incompatibilities in the disinfectants used in their systems (The City of Rock Hill and Charlotte Water use chlorine as a disinfectant while Chester Metro and LCWSD use Chloramines).
WFP - Finished Water Pumping Capacity The City is currently constructing a new high-service pump station at its WFP to accommodate the 36- to 48-MGD expansion. This pump station will have adequate pumping capacity to push the needed finished water out of the WFP and into the distribution system. The $4.5 million high- service pump station project, scheduled for completion in January 2016, is approximately 28 percent complete (as of 02/16/2015).
Finished Water Storage The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) recommend that public water systems have storage equal to or in excess of one-half of its maximum day demand. This added storage volume allows the pumps to rest at periods throughout the day, to provide water during prolong service interruptions, and to provide water for fire emergencies.
The City currently has three underground storage tanks located at the WFP. These three tanks have a total storage capacity of 3 million gallons. The City also has five elevated water storage tanks on its distribution system with a total capacity of 4.5 million gallons. The 500,000 gallon Laurel Street Tank (Knowledge Park) will be replaced next year with a 750,000 gallon tank, which will increase the City’s elevated tank capacity to 4.75 million gallons. With this volume, the City has adequate storage on its system to meet SCDHEC recommendations. The locations of the elevated water storage tanks are shown on Map 1.
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Historic Water Demands and Revenue Figure 1 shows the average daily demands (ADDs), number of water customers, and water sales over the past 12 years. Although the ADD has significantly increased over the past year due to an increase in new development and the number of irrigation systems installed, it is anticipated that the current permitted capacity of the WFP will be adequate to serve the water demands through 2019, when the 36 MGD to 48 MGD expansion has been completed.
Customer Base: Nearly 30,000 customers located within the Rock Hill Water and Sewer Utility Service Territory are served by the City’s water system - a 25 percent increase between 2003 and 2014 (see Figure 1). The Water Department reports that nearly 84 percent of the City’s water system customers reside within the Rock Hill City limits.
There are also tens of thousands of customers that are served outside the Rock Hill Water and Sewer Utility Service Territory by the City’s wholesale customers - York County, the City of York, the Town of Fort Mill, the City of Tega Cay, which receives its water from the Town of Fort Mill, and the Catawba Indian Nation. The majority of these wholesale customers have experienced substantial customer growth over the past 12 years as well, and customer growth is anticipated to continue throughout the planning horizon.
Water Demands: To help project water demands, the City of Rock Hill requires its wholesale customers to submit projections each year of their anticipated water demands five years into the future. The City also performs an analysis on its system demand, and these projections are combined and compared to the WFP capacity.
Review of the water demand as depicted in Figure 1 shows a decrease in water demands between 2008 and 2013. Staff believes that the City’s response to a severe drought in 2007 caused the drop. In order to protect raw water supplies for the City and downstream (Catawba River) water service providers, the City began an initiative to strengthen its water conservation efforts. It is believed that these efforts played a significant role in reducing the water demands. (See the Water Conservation Section in the Natural Resources Element for more information on the City’s conservation efforts.)
Water Sales/Revenue: Water Fund revenues primarily consist of revenue generated from the sale of water, collection of Meter Base Fees, and collection of impact fees. A small portion of the revenue is generated through penalties.
The City began implementing a water impact fee in FY04 to help offset utility revenue bonds issued to fund needed improvements. Approximately $3.35 million in water impact fees have been collected since the impact fee was initiated. The amount of impact fees collected varies greatly from year to year with the rise and fall of new construction, and as a result are viewed as a supplemental revenue source.
As indicated in Figure 1, water sales grew steadily from 2009-2012, but have remained relatively steady each year since. The stabilization of water sales can likely be attributed to a reduction in costs for wholesale customers.
Even with the slight decline in revenue, the 2014 water budget is more than $15 million, making water sales the third-largest source of utility revenues for the City of Rock Hill. The three largest users of the City’s water system included the Town of Fort Mill, York County, and the City of Rock Hill.
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Figure 1: Water Customers, Sales, and Demand 30,000 18
25,000 16
20,000 14
15,000 12 Water Customers
Customers Water Sales Average Daily Demand Gallons Per Day (Millions) 10,000 10 / Dollars
5,000 8
0 6 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Fiscal Year
Source: Finance Department
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Map 1: Water and Wastewater Service Territories
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Wastewater System
Rock Hill established a wastewater system in 1920. Since that time, the City has owned, operated, and maintained a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and collection system. Through these facilities and subsequent extensions and new construction, the City provides sanitary sewer service to the majority of residential, retail/commercial, and industrial facilities and/or structures within the City limits. It also serves select portions of the City’s Water and Sewer Service Territory that extends beyond the Planning Area as shown on Map 1. Sewage is also received by the City from its wholesale customers that serve customers outside the City’s Water and Sewer Service Territory. The wholesale customers include York County, City of Tega Cay, and the Catawba Indian Nation. These wholesale customers serve others located in the unincorporated areas of the County, the Lake Wylie Community, including River Hills, and the properties located outside the area served by the Town of Fort Mill.
Wastewater Treatment Plant/Treatment Capacity The Manchester Creek WWTP was built in 1970. The plant was expanded in 1991, 1996, and most recently in 2001. The current treatment and/or permitted capacity for the facility is 20 MGD. Effluent from the plant is discharged to the Catawba River. The location of the plant is shown on Map 1.
SCDHEC tracks the City’s commitments for granting wastewater treatment capacity, which now total approximately 90 percent of the permitted 20-MGD capacity. However, current hydraulic loadings on the plant are only about half the permitted capacity (see Figure 2). Other water utilities throughout the state are also experiencing low hydraulic loadings when compared to total commitments in flow they are receiving. It is for this reason, the City of Rock Hill and other South Carolina water utilities have been working through the South Carolina Water Quality Association to reestablish a reasonable base flow or hydraulic loading with SCDHEC in order to be able to continue issuing capacity commitments to future customers.
Recent discussions with SCDHEC indicated that they would recognize the average of the previous three years highest average month flows as the base for a utility’s commitment for large water systems. Based on this determination, Rock Hill’s base flow or hydraulic loading will be 11.35 MGD.
The City of Rock Hill has made the commitment to be the regional provider for wastewater treatment. To further assure the City will have adequate wastewater treatment capacity available for future customers, the City has begun two studies:
Study 1 - Evaluation of Wastewater Treatment Expansion Alternatives This study, anticipated to be completed in fall 2015, looks at siting a new WWTP. Construction of the new facility is anticipated to add approximately 10 MGD in treatment capacity to the City’s system.
Study 2 - Manchester Creek Performance Evaluation and Optimization Study This study, also anticipated to be completed in fall 2015, looks at the overall treatment process at the City’s existing WWTP in order to identify improvements to its treatment processes, improve efficiencies, and add capacity to the existing plant.
Funding for improvements at the existing WWTP and for constructing a new WWTP is being planned through a Utility Rate Study that is currently underway and should be complete in late spring 2015. The City plans to begin construction of the new WWTP immediately after Study 1 is complete, with the goal of having the new plant operational by 2024. The City also plans to begin upgrades to the existing WWTP as soon as Study 2 is complete. Study 2 is to identify the
Vision 2020: The Comprehensive Plan for Rock Hill December 2015 10 Community Facilities upgrades that will minimize treatment costs, bring parts of the plant up to an acceptable level of maintenance, and establish an associated prioritization schedule for making the plant upgrades.
Wastewater Collection System The average age of the City’s collection system piping is approximately 35 years. The Utilities Department is continually improving and/or updating the collection system by replacing old piping as part of its Water and Sewer Utilities Capital Improvement Plan. Piping replacement projects are planned to increase capacity to accommodate new development, reduce the amount of inflow and infiltration into the system, and to remove some of the City’s maintenance-intensive pump stations from service. Collection system piping is also being extended by developers to serve new projects.
Historic Wastewater Loadings and Revenue Customer Base: Nearly 31,300 customers are currently served by the City’s wastewater system - a 28 percent increase since 2003 (see Figure 2). The Wastewater Department reports that nearly 90 percent of the City’s wastewater system customers reside within the Rock Hill City limits.
Hydraulic Loadings: Although the number of customers has risen every year, wastewater hydraulic loadings have fluctuated over the past 12 years. This fluctuation is believed to be the result of variations in drought conditions and wet weather events, water conservation, and reduction of inflows and infiltration due to piping upgrades.
Water Sales/Revenue: Wastewater Fund revenues primarily consist of revenues from sewer charges although other sources include various surcharges, fees, and penalties.
The City began implementing a wastewater impact fee in FY04 to help offset utility revenue bonds issued to fund needed improvements. Over $5.45 million in wastewater impact fees have been collected since the Wastewater Impact Fee Fund was initiated. The amount of impact fees collected varies greatly from year to year with the rise and fall of new construction, and as a result are viewed as a supplemental revenue source.
As shown in Figure 2, revenues from wastewater fees have increased 85 percent over the last 11 years. With a budget of more than $20 million in FY14, wastewater fees currently represent the second-largest source of utility revenues for the City of Rock Hill. The three principal wastewater customers based on revenues include York County, Winthrop University, and Rock Hill Schools (FY13/14). It is expected that the City of Tega Cay will soon replace the schools, as they recently made a connection to the City’s wastewater collection system, and entered into an agreement with the City to treat their wastewater.
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Figure 2: Wastewater Customers, Sales, and Loadings 35,000 20
30,000 18
25,000 16
20,000 14 Wastewater Customers Gallons Per Day Customers (Millions) 15,000 12 / Average Loading Wastewater Sales Dollars 10,000 10
5,000 8
0 6 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Fiscal Year
Source: Finance Department
Electric
The City has operated the electric system since 1911. The system provides electric service to more than 33,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers within the City limits. Other service providers in the Planning Area include York Electric Cooperative (York Co-Op) and Duke Energy.
Map 2 shows the Rock Hill Electric service area and territory as well as the service areas and territories for York Electric Cooperative (York Co-Op) and Duke Energy.
Facilities and Operations The electric system consists of six substations, which serve 29 distribution feeder circuits of 25,000 volts. Two new substations are expected to be completed in 2015. The system includes:
• overhead primary poles miles - 266 miles • underground primary miles - 345 miles • Transformers - 6,943 • Poles - 21,978 • Number of electric meters - 36,341 • Street lights - 7,718 • Security lights - 7,964 • Wi-Fi routers - 1,048 • Wi-Fi Coverage - 47 sq miles
The City purchases the majority of its electric power, about 85 percent, from Piedmont Municipal Power Agency (PMPA). The City purchases an additional four to six percent of its power from Southeastern Power Administration and the remaining electricity needs are met through supplemental sources.
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Map 2: Electric Service Areas and Territories
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The number of residential and non-residential electric customers grew 18 percent from 2003-14 (see Figure 3). Nearly 93 percent of all electric system customers reside within the City limits.
Figure 3: Electric System Customers (2003-2014) 40,000 $95,000,000
35,000 $90,000,000
$85,000,000 30,000
$80,000,000
25,000 (Millions) Revenue
$75,000,000 Residential 20,000 Commercial and Industrial $70,000,000 Revenue 15,000
Number of Customers (Thousands) Customers of Number $65,000,000
10,000 $60,000,000
5,000 $55,000,000
0 $50,000,000 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Fiscal Year Source: Finance Department
With a budget of more than $100 million in FY14, electric sales currently represent the largest source of utility revenues for the City of Rock Hill (see Figure 3). In June 2014, City Council approved a six percent electricity rate increase to keep up with the rising cost of buying power from PMPA (who upped its rate by 6.7 percent).
Excluding the City of Rock Hill government offices and operations, the three largest electric customers based on revenues include Rock Hill Schools, Piedmont Medical Center, and Comporium Communications.
The City operates numerous emergency standby/load management generation units in various City facilities that provide power during outages. The most significant of these units are located at the Water Filter Plant, Manchester Wastewater Treatment Plant, and the Operations Center.
The City is continuously expanding and upgrading its electric infrastructure, including a system wide upgrade in FY11. The City has been systematically replacing and upgrading the system in downtown since 2006. The City has been installing Distribution SCADA switches since 2012 to minimize power outages during storm events. The City is also strategically burying overhead utility lines as roadway projects occur, and upgrading the look and function of street lighting throughout the City.
STORMWATER
In the early 1990's, City Council recognized the need to address the City’s failing and undersized storm water systems. The City appointed a citizen Task Force in 1995, established a Stormwater Division in 1996, and created a Stormwater Advisory Board in 1999. Rock Hill became a federally designated National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II community in 2006. The federal regulations establish six categories of Best Management Practices (BMPs) that must be implemented including public education, public involvement, illicit discharge
Vision 2020: The Comprehensive Plan for Rock Hill December 2015 14 Community Facilities detection and elimination, construction site stormwater runoff management, post construction stormwater management, and good housekeeping and pollution prevention. For details on the programs and policies initiated by the City see the Stormwater Management section of the Natural Resources Element.
The City began implementing a stormwater fee in FY04 to fund maintenance, repairs, and improvements to the drainage system. Fees have increased over time as needs continue to grow, the most recent increase was approved in FY15. City Council approved a 71-cent residential increase, a 20 percent fee increase for commercial properties up to 10,000 SF, a 25 percent fee increase in commercial properties between 10,001 and 100,000 SF, and a 30 percent fee increase for commercial properties greater than 100,000 SF for FY15. The residential rate increase is anticipated to add an additional $271,836 in revenue a year to the City’s stormwater operating budget to help fund neighborhood projects. The commercial rate increase is anticipated to add over $420,000 in revenue annually and will be used to fund the debt service on the new bond that will be issued to fund large capital projects. Approximately $22.7 million in fees have been collected since the fees were initiated. Fees are used to help fund replacement and upgrade projects.
In 2013, the Stormwater Division developed a Neighborhood Stormwater Project List of needed neighborhood stormwater projects. The project list, which is developed through a variety of means including the mapping of storm drains and citizen reporting via the City’s storm water hotline, is continuously updated as new needs arise. As of December 2014, over $60 million in replacement and upgrade projects have been identified. Projects on the Neighborhood Stormwater Project List are funded through operating funds.
In 2013, the Stormwater Division also performed a master plan study to identify potential flood prone areas outside of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood zones. The Stormwater Division used this information to develop a Stormwater Masterplan Capital Improvement Program list. Projects are prioritized based on the number of residents affected, system condition, and whether the structure is located on a City street. This list is also continuously updated as new needs are identified. Currently about $38.5 million in capital project needs have been identified. The City plans to begin funding the highest priority projects through a $4 million State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan that will be issued in 2015.
City staff have also taken the information pertaining to stormwater out of the City Zoning Ordinance and placed it in a Stormwater Management Design Manual to make it easier for City staff to make updates and modifications.
SOLID WASTE
The Rock Hill Public Works Department provides residential and commercial sanitation services including solid waste collection, disposal, and recycling services to properties within the City of Rock Hill and select residences and businesses located in unincorporated areas around the City limits.
Garbage The City provides weekly curbside waste collection to all residential households in the City (over 21,000 residential sanitation customers). Electronic items are not picked up curbside, but residents can take them to the Rock Hill Operations Center. Residents can also take electronics, as well as garbage and paint, to any of the 16 York County Collection and Recycling Centers – six of which are located in Rock Hill. The City also provides commercial garbage and Dial-A- Dumpster services to just under 1,400 customers.
Solid waste generated in Rock Hill is transported to the York County Solid Waste Transfer Station where it is processed and loaded onto trailers for transport and disposal to a landfill facility in
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Richland County, SC. York County Waste Management has just renewed their agreement with Richland County for an additional three-year term ending in December 2016. A new cell opened at the Richland County landfill in 2014 ensuring capacity sufficient to meet the County’s needs through the planning horizon.
Construction, demolition, land clearing debris, and certain household hazardous materials are received at the York County landfill. A new cell was opened at the landfill in 2013, which the York County Solid Waste Disposal Supervisor estimates to have 17 years of life. SC DHEC received an application to develop a private construction and demolition (C&D) facility at an abandoned industrial park on Vernsdale Road, but the application has been tied up in legal proceedings since 2007.
Yard debris is taken to the City’s vegetation facility on Red River Road. It is turned into green mulch which is used by the Parks, Recreation, and Tourism (PRT) Department and available at no charge to residents and nonresidents.
Recycling The City also offers weekly curbside recycling services to all residential households. Currently all residential households are provided recycling bins. The City hopes to transition to roll-carts over the next few years. Residents may also take recycling to any of the 16 York County Collection and Recycling Centers – six of which are located in Rock Hill. Recycling services are available by contract to commercial, industrial, educational, and multi-family residential uses. The City also has a recycling contract with Rock Hill School District Three. Recyclables are taken to the Pratt Industries Plant on Cel-River Road.
Waste and Recycling Trends Between 2010-13, the City saw a 16 percent increase in the amount of commercial garbage generated, but between 2013 and 2014 the amount of commercial garbage generated decreased five percent (see Figure 4). Residential garbage generation decreased by eight percent between 2010-13 (which can likely be attributed to an 84 percent increase in residential recycling over the same timeframe), but increased 10 percent between 2013 and 2014. In 2011, the City purchased a new recycling truck and transitioned from sorting different types of paper to comingling at pickup sites. This transition explains the appearance of a drastic reduction in the tons of mixed paper recycled between 2010 and 2011; those tons are now captured in the residential collection category.
Figure 4: Garbage and Recycling Generation 40,000 2,500
35,000
2,000 30,000 RecyclingGeneration (Tons)
Commercial 25,000 1,500 Residential Bulky Trash 20,000
Cardboard 1,000 Garbage Generation (Tons) Generation Garbage 15,000 Mixed Paper
Residential Collection 10,000 500
5,000
- - FY 10/11 FY 11/12 FY 12/13 FY 13/14
Source: Public Works Department
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TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Comporium Group
The Comporium Group provides telephone, long distance, wireless, cable TV, Internet, security, data services and directory publishing to over 95,000 residential and commercial customers in the greater Rock Hill area. Comporium has a franchise agreement with the City to provide cable television service. Although Comporium is currently the only telephone and cable service provider in Rock Hill, the cable franchise agreement does not stop other cable providers from coming into Rock Hill. The City can have several agreements with different companies at the same time.
In February 2014, Comporium announced that it began the design of a new, state-of-the-art fiber- optic network called Zipstream. The network will provide ultra-fast internet service (85 times faster than Comporium’s standard internet service) to Knowledge Park (see the Economic Development Chapter for more information on Knowledge Park). When the service is provided, it will make Downtown Rock Hill one of the first two Gigabit communities in South Carolina and the first in the South Carolina Update and Charlotte metropolitan areas. In July 2014, Comporium announced that Zipstream will also be offered in many industrial and business parks in Rock Hill including Waterford Business Park, Airport Industrial Park, Rock Hill Industrial, Riverwalk Business Park, and Southcross Corporate Center.
ROCK HILL WI-FI
Over the past 15 years Rock Hill has made significant efforts and investments into many of the current and emerging technologies that are integral to efficient and viable government services and support.
In 2001, the City began installing Fiber optics to connect all its facilities and service as the primary backhaul for the Wi-Fi systems to tie all the collectors and backhaul points back to and into the City’s data centers and central servers. The Fiber Optic networks are used to service all City functions in one capacity or more. Fiber feeds the traffic control systems, the utility systems, the phone and data systems between City facilities, and even the camera systems to outline a few benefits. Combined with the Wi-Fi system, the Fiber systems provide a comprehensive means of servicing all city department and utility needs efficiently and securely.
In December 2006, the City began building and operating a Wireless Fidelity, or Wi-Fi, communications system covering the incorporated areas of the City. The Wi-Fi- system is largely used for internal City operational services and purposes, but access is granted to citizens and external users on certain occasions. The system, which expands as the City grows, is the largest municipal wireless network in the southeast. The Wi-Fi system uses high-frequency radio waves to transmit data between computers connected to the wireless system infrastructure, which allows them to link onto the City’s local area network (LAN) services or attach to general external Internet services.
Facilities and Operations The Wi-Fi system is one transmission medium the City uses for its expanding communications needs; it creates a mesh coverage extending over 50 plus square miles and is designed to utilize City owned fiber optic communication lines through various Networks wireless routers mounted on security lights and traffic poles strategically placed throughout the City. City vehicles are equipped with networks wireless routers allowing mobile connectivity even when vehicles are in full motion, enhancing services to the public safety and the utility vehicle fleets. Getting the connected devices from wherever they are in the area back to the services needed requires complex backhaul connectivity back to the City core services over network fiber, as well as three
Vision 2020: The Comprehensive Plan for Rock Hill December 2015 17 Community Facilities tower sites maintained by the City. These backhaul locations are located on Highway 5 towards York, Old Pointe Water Tower, and at Highland Water Tower.
The Wi-Fi communications system is today fully matured and is currently being utilized by several City departments, listed below. The Wi-Fi Communications tool provides the City an effective way to increase efficiency and improve customer service. As a result, the City routinely adds new applications to accommodate and expand these uses. • The Police Department, the system’s biggest users, uses the Wi-Fi system to access files on the network, conduct secure National Crime Information Center (NCIC) checks, remotely file reports, check for stolen items sold to pawn shops, and download video from police cars to a centralized monitoring center when investigating or responding to an incident, along with a multitude of other service functions and soon to be court evidence functions. • The Fire Department uses the Wi-Fi network to look up building plans to identify entrances, exits, and hazardous materials while in-route to a fire. • Public Works staff uses the Wi-Fi system to download and create work orders in the field and dispatch and prioritize work crews based upon their location. • Building Inspectors use the network to inspect, issue, and verify building permits while in the field, allowing builders and contractors to get up-to-the minute status of an inspection via the Internet. • Utilities crews use the system to access maps of City infrastructure and facilities as well as respond to email and work orders in the field. • The Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Department offers secured access to officials to update game results and scores in real time. Free Wi-Fi Internet access is offered to the public in all community parks, soccer fields, tennis courts, other outdoor locations (access is also provided in all public City buildings). This is particularly popular at league games whereby spectators can upload photos to photo sharing sites, check on league scores, and look up rules and statistics. • Emergency Management runs disaster scenarios utilizing the routers in City vehicles in the field to ensure that the system can provide continuous communication between City Hall and the Operations Center during emergencies. Although there has not been an emergency situation that required communication since the system was built, Emergency Management plans to use the system to allow for communication between City staff and other emergency responders during emergency situations. • The City also has a project underway that will use the Wi-Fi system to address some of the communication needs of the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) pilot project. This system will collect data on peak usage (water, sewer, electric), analyze water quality, and detect leaks in the system (water, sewer). The City continues to test a City- wide AMI operational application which uses the Wi-Fi network to provide monitoring and collection paths.
• Economic Development utilizes the City systems and services to promote the high-tech nature of the City as demonstrated in the expansion of the Knowledge Park Corridor.
The Communications system is continuously being maintained and improved to keep up with changes and advancements in technology. To upgrade the entire hardware infrastructure will require a complete overhaul, which includes backhaul on the three existing towers and the Network Routers (which are reaching the end of their useful life). A system of this size is very expensive to upgrade and the advances in the technology requires continuous evolutions in the strategic wireless plan the City maintains. The Information Technology Department estimates that it would cost around $10 to $20 million to fully replace the entire system infrastructure with the
Vision 2020: The Comprehensive Plan for Rock Hill December 2015 18 Community Facilities current technologies. To manage this expense properly, the City has started to upgrade parts of the system such as the technology on the backhaul towers and modifying the mesh structures and coverage areas. The City is also exploring hybrid solutions that combine wireless and cellular services, and is looking at ways to leverage existing resources, like co-locating on existing cell towers or focusing coverage areas, to reduce costs. The challenge is to continue to support an increasing service load, while ensuring that design changes do not negatively affect system performance. In addition the system is constantly challenged to be compatible with existing systems and services like AMI, while utilizing the advances and services of the technology.
The Wi-Fi vision and purpose is still a strong and viable communications service used by the City to accomplish its strategic goals and provide quality services to the citizens, even though it continues to evolve from its original design, and will do so for years to come.
ROCK HILL/YORK COUNTY AIRPORT
The Rock Hill/York County Airport (UZA), located at 550 Airport Road, is one of the South Carolina’s fourteen Corporate/Business (category SCII) airports. Rock Hill/York County Airport is located four miles northwest of downtown and less than 30 minutes from Charlotte-Douglas International Airport. Because of its location, the airport plays an essential role in serving as a designated reliever to Charlotte-Douglas International Airport and providing access and capacity to general aviation and business in the Rock Hill/York County Area. The Airport Director estimated a total of 37,000 aircraft operations at the airport in 2013.
In 1956, an Airport Commission was established to develop an airport to serve the Rock Hill area. A 364-acre site was obtained at the intersection of Old York Road and Celanese Road for construction of the airport and by 1959 it was fully operational. Since then, the airport facilities have expanded under the direction of a series of Master Plans and with the assistance of numerous federal and state grants to accommodate growth in operations and enhance safety. Currently the airport is 435 acres.
The Airport is owned by the City of Rock Hill. Although the City is the official sponsor, the City and County split local funding costs (5 percent total). The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and state provide the remaining funding, 90 percent provided by FAA. The Airport Commission, comprised of seven members appointed by the City and County Councils, is responsible for making recommendations to the City Council on policies, operations, and general activities regarding the airport.
Facilities and Operations The airport property includes a 7,200 square-foot terminal building designed for the business user, a conference room available for rent, a pilot lounge, bookstore, Wi-Fi services, and flight planning facilities. Currently, 149 aircraft are based at the airport, including 132 single-engine planes, 12 multi-engine planes, three jets and two helicopters. There are a total of 106 hangars located at the airport, some of which are privately owned. The airport contains one grooved pavement runway (2/20) measuring 5,500 x 100 ft with a full parallel taxiway. The apron area is approximately 35,000 square yards and contains about 70 tie-down/parking positions. Operations include general aviation local aircraft operations, general aviation itinerant operations, and a small number of military operations. Ground transportation includes rental car agencies and taxi service. The airport also offers flight training, ground schools, aircraft rental, and sightseeing flights. Aviation related services at the airport are provided by a private contractor, SkyTech (FBO), which leases the facilities on the west side of the airport from the City. The City has an agreement with Skytech through 2030. Skytech offers aircraft maintenance, full avionics repair and installations, fuel and oil service, sales as well as hangar and tie-down rentals.
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Airport Overlay District
In October 2008, the City and County jointly adopted an Airport Overlay District to discourage the siting of incompatible land uses that may impair the future development and operation of the airport, protect navigable airspace from obstructions, and reduce hazards that may endanger the lives and property of the public and aviation users.
Airport Master Plan
The airport has a Master Plan that guides future development. The current plan, adopted in 2003, is scheduled to be updated in FY15.
Funding and Improvements
The FAA provides $150,000 in entitlement funds to the airport annually. The FAA determines any additional discretionary funds after weighing the needs of all other airports within the region under the Federal Aviation Administration Atlanta Airports Division Office. The Airport Director submits an updated capital improvement program (CIP) to FAA annually for consideration. Most of the projects included in the current five-year CIP were related to an extension of the existing runway; however, operations numbers were too low for FAA to support funding of a runway extension. The CIP is being revised to reflect other needed improvements that will increase operations including expansion of the parking apron, taxiway rehabilitation (construction), and drainage work on the north end of the apron.
NATURAL GAS
York County Natural Gas Authority provides residential, commercial, and industrial gas service throughout Rock Hill and York County.
Facilities and Operations The Authority’s Administration, Customer Service, and Operations facilities are located at 979, 965, and 961 West Main Street, respectively. The Authority currently has over 1,600 miles of distribution mains and serves approximately 58,000 customers throughout York County and the northeast portion of Cherokee County. Map 3 depicts the location of the Authority’s facilities and service area. Natural gas service is available in and around Rock Hill, York, Clover, Fort Mill, Tega Cay, River Hills, Smyrna, McConnells, Sharon, Hickory Grove, and Blacksburg.
In 2011, the Authority constructed a LEED Silver certified 85,000 square foot Customer Center and a filling station for natural gas powered vehicles. The Authority currently has 15 natural gas powered vehicles, and more will be added as gasoline powered vehicles are replaced due to age. Recent facility improvements include the addition of 10,500 square feet to the Operations Center, with conference and training rooms, offices, meter and welding shops.
As part of a joint action agency called Patriots Energy Group, the Authority has completed construction of a 42-mile pipeline, which is connected to the Transco pipeline in Blacksburg, SC. This was done to secure gas supplies to accommodate future growth. The Authority has strengthened lateral feeds from this source, connecting with other regions of the distribution system. This includes the construction of several new meter and regulator stations, and upgrades to reinforce portions of the system that have experienced rapid growth in recent years.
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Map 3: York County Natural Gas Service Territory
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COMMUNITY SAFETY
Police Protection
The Rock Hill Police Department (RHPD) provides protective services within the City’s jurisdiction. The Department is designated as a Flagship Agency by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) meaning that the department complies with state-of-the-art standards of excellence in law enforcement services that meet National Standards. Only 10 percent of the nation has received this accreditation.
Facilities and Operations
Facilities The RHPD operates four facilities including the Law Center, Hagins Street Substation, Training Annex, and a facility on Fargo Street that houses the Street Crimes and Traffic Units (see Map 4) and employs 148 sworn officers and 43 civilian personnel (as of June 2014).
The Law Center, located at 120 East Black Street, houses all formal police business including patrol, the Communications Center, records, an 18-bed holding facility, administration functions, and the Rock Hill Municipal Court, which renders judicial decisions on all traffic violations and certain criminal offenses which occur within City limits. In 2014, the law center was expanded to provide additional administrative office space and a new training room.
The County recently adopted a Facility Master Plan that supports construction of a new government center on the eastern side of the county that would house a county jail and courthouse. This would open up space in Rock Hill’s existing court and holding facility; however, the building is not Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant and would be costly to upfit.
The Hagins Street Substation, located at 46 Sunset Drive in the Hagins/Fewell Neighborhood, is operated by the RHPD Community Services Division. In coordination with the City’s Neighborhood Empowerment Office, the RHPD Community Services Unit hosts crime prevention activities and provides community services from this facility. The Hagins/Fewell Neighborhood Association also holds monthly meetings at the substation, as well as periodic events such as National Night Out.
The Training Annex is located at the Worthy Boys and Girls Camp at 2352 Worthy Boys Road. The refurbished doublewide trailer can seat 45 and contains full video and computer capabilities.
Patrol As shown on Map 4, patrol service areas are split into ten geographic patrol zones.
Investigative Services The RHPD is responsible for preliminary and follow-up criminal investigation of all reported serious crimes against persons and/or property as well as narcotics. The RHPD participates in the York County Multi-jurisdictional Forensic Services Unit (YCMFSU) as well as the York County Multi-jurisdictional Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU). Police within the Narcotics Unit are responsible for suppressing organized crime, particularly drug trafficking. Street level drug sales are handled through the Street Crimes Unit. Also, the City employs a civilian Law Enforcement Victim Advocate (LEVA) to provide support to the victims and eyewitnesses of serious crimes.
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Map 4: Police Facilities and Patrol Zones
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Crime Analysis Rock Hill employs a civilian Crime Analyst to track crime patterns and trends in the City and respond to requests for crime data from the citizens and media. In 2006, the Department initiated the COMPSTAT strategy, a bi-weekly, data-driven, and task-oriented meeting that addresses crime by type and location. Discussions involve the type of crimes being committed, how to solve the crimes that have already occurred, and how to prevent further crimes of the same type from re-occurring.
In 2009, the Police Department launched Crime iMap on the City’s website allowing users to search and access a year’s worth of crime data by entering an address, neighborhood, school zone, type of crime, and date ranges. The website displays general locations of criminal activity and records.
Community Programs and Activities The RHPD is involved in many community programs including Weed and Seed, a U.S. Department of Justice program aimed at preventing, controlling, and reducing violent crime, drug abuse, and gang activity in targeted high-crime neighborhoods; National Night Out, visits with Rock Hill neighborhoods to promote neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and Worth Boys and Girls Camp, a week-long summer camp for boys and girls ages 9-12 to experience the outdoors, learn new skills, develop new interpersonal skills, and build personal self-esteem at this facility.
The RHPD participates in other activities including Neighborhood Watch, Operation Rebound, and Operation Identification. The Department also conducts security surveys and child fingerprinting, speaks at the speakers’ bureau, assists in Rolling in Rock Hill, offers tours of the Law Center, and assists at various community events such as the Emmett Scott Summer Jam and Manchester Summer Fest.
Response Times One measure of police efficiency and safety of residents is the response time to life threatening, or Priority One, calls. Response time in law enforcement includes both queuing time, the length of time from receipt of the request for service to the actual dispatch of an officer, and travel time. The Police Department has a goal to respond to 70 percent of Priority One calls within 5 minutes. To help them meet this goal, the Police Department is working to increase the speed by which dispatchers provide information to officers.
Crime Rates and Statistics Individual offenses for the majority of crimes have fluctuated year to year from 2010 to 2014. The number of aggravated assaults dropped every year from 2010 to 2013, but then increased in 2014. The number of forcible sex crimes, robberies, burglaries, and auto thefts all declined between 2013 and 2014 (see Table 1). The number of aggravated assaults dropped every year from 2010 to 2013, but then increased in 2014.
Crime rate, the number of Index Crimes (based on official FBI’s Uniform Crime Report numbers) divided by the population, may be a better indicator of crime and safety than changes in the actual number of reported crimes each year. Table 2 was derived using this methodology and shows that the crime rate for violent crimes has decreased from 8.2 in 2010 to 5.2 in 2014. Property crimes rates have also declined slightly over the same time period from 42.1 to 38.1. Despite the decreases, Rock Hill’s violent crime and property crime rates are still significantly higher than the National Average and cities of similar size. The 2013 National Crime Rate per 1,000 population totaled 3.7 for violent crimes and 27.3 for property crimes. The 2012 Crime Rate per 1,000 population for cities with 50,000 to 99,999 population totaled 3.5 for violent crimes
Vision 2020: The Comprehensive Plan for Rock Hill December 2015 24 Community Facilities and 29.0 for property crimes (source: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crime in the United States, 2013).
Table 1: Rock Hill Crime Statistics Offenses 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Homicide 6 5 8 4 5 Forcible Sex Crimes 87 98 100 108 90 Robbery 109 83 123 96 80 Aggravated Assault 379 249 233 201 232 Arson 9 12 9 14 15 Burglary 507 572 444 439 427 Larceny 2,098 2,401 2,096 2,138 2,137 Auto Theft 173 189 190 144 88
Note: Data represents reported crimes. Auto theft is the actual stealing of a vehicle and not stealing of property from a vehicle. Source: Rock Hill Police Department
Table 2: Rock Hill Crime Rates 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Violent Crime 543 394 415 358 365 Violent Crime per 1,000 Population 8.2 5.8 6.1 5.2 5.2 Property Crime 2,787 3,174 2,739 2,735 2,667 Property Crime per 1,000 Population 42.1 47.1 40.2 39.6 38.1 Source: Rock Hill Police Department
Fire Protection The Rock Hill Fire Department (RHFD) is made up of three divisions – Administration, Suppression, and Fire Prevention/Inspections. The RHFD provides services to the City of Rock Hill and certain water district customers located in areas outside the City limits. The City also provides supplemental service to some areas served by County Fire Departments. Areas outside of the City limits but within the Planning Area are served by County Fire Departments.
Facilities and Operations The RHFD operates six fire stations, as well as the headquarters station which houses administration, logistics, training, and the new children’s museum. The City is in the process of taking over a Fire Training Center that it currently shares with York County. The RHFD is also working to identify land for two new fire stations, with plans to begin construction on one of the stations within the next five years. Map 5 depicts the location of the existing fire stations and their service areas.
The City of Rock Hill is the only fully-paid career fire department in York County. As of July 2014, the RHFD is staffed with 114 Fire Suppression personnel and 10 Administrative personnel, consisting of Command Staff, Training Division, Fire Prevention, and Investigation Division, and Logistics Division. Specialized services are provided for fire suppression, trench rescue, emergency medical services, confined space, vehicle extrication, high angle rescue, low
Vision 2020: The Comprehensive Plan for Rock Hill December 2015 25 Community Facilities angle rescue, water rescue, and hazardous materials/weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Fire prevention is implemented through educational programs on fire safety and involvement with community groups. The RHFD is also responsible for fire code enforcement and fire investigations to determine the cause of various fires including those of suspicious, incendiary, or undetermined nature, and all fires involving loss of life or large dollar losses.
Equipment and Response The six fire stations support eight Engine Apparatus, two Aerial Apparatus, one Tanker, one Grass Unit, one Parade Engine, and 12 admin/support vehicles. The Department operates a fire mobile package to enhance realtime access to information and communication to firefighters in the field. All fire apparatus are also equipped with diagnostic heart monitors and several apparatus are equipped with thermal imaging cameras for search and rescue.
The key benchmark for fire department response time is set by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The NFPA’s response time standard is five minutes. The Rock Hill Fire Department’s average response time is above 90 percent of the NFPA Standard Response Time.
Figure 5 summarizes the Rock Hill Fire Department calls for service from 2010-14. Calls for fire have remained relatively steady. Medical calls increased every year from 2010-13, but dropped off in 2014.
Figure 5: Rock Hill Service Call Data (2010-2014) 8,000
7,000
6,000
5,000 Other 4,000 Medical All Fires 3,000
Number of Service of Number Calls Service 2,000
1,000
- 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Source: Rock Hill Fire Department, May 2014.
ISO Rating The National Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO) supplies statistical, actuarial, underwriting, and claims data to the property and casualty insurance industry. The ISO uses a uniform set of criteria known as the Fire Suppression Rating Schedule (FSRS) to review and evaluate the fire- fighting capabilities of individual communities. The FSRS has three main parts and is based upon nationally recognized standards developed by the National Fire Protection Association and the American Water Works Association. Ten percent of the overall grading is based on how well the fire department receives fire alarms and dispatches its fire-fighting resources. Fifty percent of the overall score is based on the fire department, including equipment, training, and personnel.
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Forty percent of the grading is based on the community's water supply, incluing whether a community has sufficient water supply for fire suppression beyond daily maximum consumption, the condition of all components of the water supply system, and the distribution of hydrants. Once evaluated, a community is then assigned a Public Protection Classification (PPC™) from 1 to 10. Class 1 generally represents superior property fire protection, and Class 10 indicates that the area's fire-suppression program doesn't meet ISO’s minimum criteria.
Insurance companies base property premiums on a community’s ISO rating; ISO ratings of 1-3 receive the lower the insurance premium. The City currently has an ISO rating of 1.
Impact Fees The City began implementing a fire impact fee in FY04 based on development type. About $4.3 million has been collected since the fees were initiated. Revenues collected from the program are used to help fund construction of new fire stations.
Community Service The RHFD is involved in many types of community service including offering free blood pressure checks as well as free installation and battery replacements of smoke detectors for elderly citizens and low income households. Fire prevention performs safety inspections and assists with preparing emergency evacuation plans. The department also offers an in-school mentoring program for all public/private schools in Rock Hill. Finally, staff serves as instructors at Camp Can Do (a burned camp for children).
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Map 5: Fire Stations and Service Areas
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HOMETOWN SECURITY
Hometown Security develops and implements security, emergency and disaster plans, and related programs to deter threats and enhance response and recovery operations during and after emergencies and disasters.
Facilities and Operations The City hired a security company to conduct a city-wide safety evaluation in 2002. Based on the findings, the City created the Hometown Security Division and hired a Hometown Security Coordinator. Initially, the Coordinator worked to institute safety measures and upgrade security protocols. Projects included implementing an employee ID card system, introducing monthly safety meetings, and creating safety standards for City facilities.
Currently the Hometown Security provides daily support to all departments with questions and direction on appropriate security protocols and conducts periodic inspections of City facilities and departments. The Division also conducts periodic workshops for the community, government, and business leaders on emergency related issues and works with the American Red Cross to develop guidelines for future emergency awareness training classes.
The Hometown Security Coordinator is the primary point of contact for resource assistance and support for the York County Office of Emergency Management during emergency situations, including power outages and natural and manmade disasters. The Coordinator also oversees security protocols for large scale events that are held in the City (with the help of an Events Planning Committee).
The City adopted its first Hometown Security Plan in 2003. The plan, which was updated in FY09, establishes protocols for minimizing the effects of disasters. The City also has a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) that is focused on long term recovery and details the key activities that each Department must continue to function during and after a disaster. The City also has Emergency Response Plans in place for major City facilities including the WFP, the WWTP, and the Rock Hill / York County Airport.
The City has an Emergency Response Center (ERC) at City Hill and at the Operations Center, where key department heads and support staff convene after the onset of an emergency situation for development of vital rescue, recovery, and operational decisions. The City also implemented a single radio system network which improves interoperability by offering a single channel of communication for emergency responders.
Rock Hill has signed a Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement to assist other municipalities in the event of a disaster and ensure that the City obtains assistance as well.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND MANAGEMENT
The York County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) oversees emergency and disaster operations planning, disaster consequence reduction programs, coordination of emergency response, rescue/EMS system, and hazardous materials, Catawba Nuclear Station emergency planning, SARA Title III regulation and reporting (requirements for planning around hazardous chemicals), and emergency public education for York County.
Facilities and Operations York County maintains an Emergency Operation and Public Safety Communications Center at 149 West Black Street. The Center is maintained 24 hours a day and has a direct link with the City of Rock Hill Emergency Response Center in emergency operational incidents.
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The Communications Center utilizes an enhanced 911 system for receiving and dispatching all fire and EMS-related emergencies and transferring law enforcement calls to the agency that has jurisdiction. During 2013, the Communications Center answered 319,937 calls and dispatched 124,463 calls for service.
In emergency situations, the Center provides resources to support on-scene emergency operations. Emergency management staff is responsible for monitoring any developing natural and man-made situations and making the appropriate emergency notifications.
In large-scale emergencies resulting from natural disasters, man-made disasters, or war, the Center is activated and representatives gather to coordinate response and recovery activities. The York County Emergency Operations and Public Safety Communications Center is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to assist in information gathering, assessment, and public notification. Sirens across the County are activated for a total of 15 minutes and emergency information is broadcast on local television and radio stations.
In the event of a major incident at the Catawba Nuclear Station, Duke Energy would immediately notify federal, state and local authorities of a problem at the station. York County coordinates communication between the Catawba Nuclear Station and the South Carolina State Warning Point on any emergency that would affect the County and activates the emergency outdoor warning sirens, as necessary.
York County OEM coordinates training programs for emergency responders within the County including Radiological Training and Incident Command Training for various audiences. They also regularly conduct emergency disaster exercises. Every other year the County conducts a Fixed Nuclear Facilities (FNF) exercise to demonstrate the ability to respond and manage a release from the Nuclear Station. On opposite years the County conducts a contaminated injured patient drill. OEM also supports South Carolina earthquake and tornado training and drills on an annual basis.
Plans
York County Emergency Operations Plan The York County Emergency Operations Plan delegates responsibilities to county and municipal agencies in York County in the event of emergency or disaster. The plan, which is updated annually, is divided into Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) to provide support, resources, program implementation, and services that are needed to save lives, protect property and the environmental, restore essential services and critical infrastructure, and help victims and communities return to normal following disasters or emergencies. York County OEM coordinates with all county departments, municipalities, school districts, the Catawba Indian Nation, and a variety of other agencies and entities in the development of the plan.
York County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Rock Hill is a part of the York County Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan. The plan, which must be updated every five years, identifies the hazards within York County and guides the implementation of mitigation actions designed to make York County and its municipalities safer from the threat of hazards. Rock Hill sets its own hazard mitigation goals and objectives as a part of the plan. The OEM is currently updating the plan and will submit it to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) for review and comment in late 2015 and to FEMA for approval in early 2016.
Rock Hill’s participation in the plan makes it eligible for FEMA mitigation grant funding. In 2005, the City successfully secured almost $500,000 to convert/relocate overhead utilities underground on Catawba Terrace. In the summer of 2014, the City’s pre-application for acquisition/demolition
Vision 2020: The Comprehensive Plan for Rock Hill December 2015 30 Community Facilities of a property subject to repeated flooding was found eligible and the City submitted a full application for the project in late October.
HEALTHCARE SERVICES
Piedmont Medical Center (PMC), located at 222 South Herlong Avenue in Rock Hill, is the largest healthcare provider in York County. It offers a broad range of services, including Open Heart Surgery, specialized Women’s Services, Neurosurgery, and Orthopaedics.
Facilities and Operations PMC is anchored by a 288-bed acute care hospital. The facility is over 520,000 square feet in size, including the recent $20 million investment in their new Emergency Department (which opened in December 2014), which now boasts 42,000 square feet. Additional PMC facilities are located throughout York County and include off-site outpatient services, diagnostic imaging, sleep center, pain center, physician practices, and urgent care centers.
As of June 2014, PMC has over 350 physicians on staff, approximately 1,500 employees on their payroll, and over 150 volunteers. The number of volunteers swells substantially in the summer through the hospital’s teen volunteer program. PMC offers some of the most advanced medical technologies and services. Piedmont’s primary service lines include cardiovascular services (open heart, interventional cardiology, electrophysiology), general and vascular surgery, cancer services, orthopaedics, women’s services and emergency medicine. Some of the other services PMC offers are robotic surgery, 3-D mammography, CT scanning, imaging and diagnostics, pediatrics, outpatient services, a center for sleep disorders, hyperbarics and wound care. It is also one of 17 nationally accredited Level III trauma centers in the State. During the 2014 calendar year, there were 13,824 patients admitted to the hospital, up from 13,671 during the prior year, and 73,007 emergency room visits, up from 69,131 from the prior year. The EMS system also responded to 18,836 emergency medical service calls.
PMC conducts an annual community needs assessment to determine the need for additional physician manpower by specialty and guide facility improvements and equipment investments over the coming year. The State of South Carolina also updates the State Health Plan every two years which details where new facilities are needed.
PMC entered a contract to provide services to York County in 1983. The 10th addendum to that contract was recently passed in 2014. The contract ensures York County residents receive some unique benefits including EMS services, capital improvements, transparency, community scholarships and a commitment to keep costs for care competitive with other hospitals in the area.
PMC provides financial support to over 40 organizations in York County, primarily organizations focused on health, youth, and people with special needs. In addition to financial support, PMC also provides in-kind services to local agencies and free flu shots to those who volunteer at these agencies as well as their clients. Many PMC employees also volunteer in the community and serve in leadership roles on various committees and boards.
PMC was awarded a certificate of need to build a new hospital in Fort Mill in 2006. Carolinas HealthCare and Novant appealed the decision, and construction of a new facility has been tied up in legal battles ever since. Should PMC win final approval to build the hospital it will be located at S.C. West and U.S. 21. The hospital, known as Fort Mill Medical Center, would include 100-beds (36 of which will be moved over from PMC), state-of-the art technology, 24-hour emergency room services, comprehensive women’s health services (including labor and delivery units), advanced cardiac services, a 10-bed intensive care unit, and many other specialized services.
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EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES
Rock Hill has a variety of educational facilities including public schools, charter schools, private schools, a public two-year college, a private-two year college, and a four-year university. Map 6 shows the location of the schools in the Planning Area.
Rock Hill District Three Schools
Rock Hill and nearly all of the unincorporated portions within the Planning Area are served by Rock Hill School District Three. Rock Hill School District Three is the largest of four school districts in York County and is the eleventh-largest school district in South Carolina. The District includes 27 schools totaling over 3 million square feet on over 1,136 acres of land.
Facilities and Operations Nearly 18,000 students were enrolled in Rock Hill’s public school system during the 2013 school year. The Rock Hill Schools system consists of one preschool, 17 Elementary Schools (including a state-funded Montessori school), five middle schools, three high schools, and one career/technology center (see Map 6). Some of these schools are designated as Choice Schools that offer special programs for students. Parents apply for their children to attend a Choice School and an online lottery is used to grant approval. Close to 900 students in the District attend a Choice School. The following schools in the District are Choice Schools:
• The Children’s School at Sylvia Circle – School Choice Montessori Program • Ebinport Elementary – School Choice for World Language • Northside Elementary School of the Arts – School Choice for the Arts • Oakdale Elementary – STEM Magnet School • Richmond Drive Elementary – School Choice for World Language • Rosewood Elementary – IB Primary Years Programme • Sunset Park Center for Accelerated Studies –School for Accelerated Studies • Saluda Trail Middle – STEAM Magnet Program • Sullivan Middle –International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme
Rock Hill Schools also offers other unique resources to the community including a Central Child Development Center, a Flexible Learning Center, a Rosenwald School, an Instruction TV center, and a Parent Smart Family Resource Center.
The District does not plan to build any additional schools during the planning horizon. The overall capacity of the District is around 23,000 students and there are slightly under 18,000 currently enrolled (see Table 3). Some schools, particularly the Choice Schools for World Language, are over capacity. Local consensus on optimum school size for Rock Hill Schools is 550-750 students for elementary, 800-1,100 for middle, and 1,800-2,100 for high school. Ultimately each school’s capacity is a compromise among competing objectives and factors including area population density, existing school sizes, natural geographic barriers, road patterns, transportation times and distances, curriculum choice and student achievement objectives, student and staff safety, effective and efficient use of fiscal resources, and local preferences. The District established a committee in August 2014 to determine how to better balance enrollment at District schools. The committee is currently considering special programs, school attendance zones, and regulatory changes and will use this information to develop a plan for the 2016-17 school year.
Instead of building new schools, the District is focusing on renovating and expanding existing schools (the District wants to adapt spaces to have a more flexible and personalized design and
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to make them safer and more secure) and integrating technology wherever possible. In May 2015, Rock Hill voters approved a $110 million bond referendum that will finance repairs, improvements, and renovations at existing Rock Hill schools.
Rock Hill School District Three is one of 46 school districts across the nation involved in the Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools. The League is a coalition that works together to improve outcomes for students and solve challenges through learning technology and education research. Table 3: Rock Hill District Three Schools 2014/2015 Map Year Classroom Core Square School enrollment ID Founded Capacity Capacity Feet (as of 8/5/14) Elementary Schools 1 Belleview 1955 433 690 679 74,311 2 Children’s School at Sylvia Circle (Montessori) 1954 336 506 375 54,442 3 Ebenezer Avenue 1987 313 483 398 45,189 4 Ebinport 1949 611 621 595 63,795 5 Finley Road 1957 395 667 798 64,140 6 Independence 1978 509 621 833 61,690 7 India Hook 2007 604 667 798 75,979 8 Lesslie 1954 357 667 510 56,762 9 Mt. Gallant 1978 467 690 834 69,307 10 Mount Holly 2008 497 667 798 75,979 11 Northside School of the Arts 1951 531 598 326 59,407 12 Oakdale 1949 407 759 650 58,019 13 Old Pointe 2002 537 736 748 88,534 14 Richmond Drive 1949 645 598 631 70,072 15 Rosewood 1960 588 782 567 69,639 16 Sunset Park Center for Accelerated Studies 1954 448 621 438 74,452 17 York Road 1971 336 667 882 58,546 Middle Schools 18 Castle Heights 2004 805 1,144 1,144 176,678 19 Dutchman Creek 2008 956 1,144 1,144 168,952 20 Rawlinson Road 1972 656 1,196 1,196 151,513 21 Saluda Trail 1999 775 1,040 1,040 165,792 22 Sullivan 1959 812 1,352 1,352 177,920 High Schools 23 Northwestern 1971 1,845 1,976 1,976 310,980 24 Rock Hill 1888 2,009 2,158 2,158 315,922 25 South Pointe 2005 1,277 1,872 1,872 348,302 Source: Square footage taken from Rock Hill Schools Master Plan 2014-19 Enrollment information obtained from Rock Hill School District Three
Plans & Studies
District Strategic Plan 2014-2019 Every five years the Rock Hill School District updates their strategic plan designed to guide the efforts of the District, affirm District beliefs, as well as set priorities and directions. The current strategic plan, 2014-2019 Strategic Plan, was adopted in January 2014 and has four focus areas: shared vision and beliefs, future focus, a nurturing environment, and quality work design and delivery.
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Integrated Planning for School and Community (IPSAC) Land Use Study Every year the Planning and Program Support Department conducts a Land Use Study that analyzes how much growth the District will likely experience and where that growth is anticipated to occur. This information is used to determine classroom capacity at District schools. The 2013- 14 study concluded that the District is likely to experience flat growth over the next three years and that there appears to be enough seats in the system at all three levels to absorb the growth expected over the next 10 years.
Rock Hill Schools Master Plan 2014-19 Administrative Services uses the information provided in the Land Use Study to update the Master Plan (which is updated annually). The Plan looks at emerging trends and drivers and includes a condition assessment and capacity analysis. The conditions assessment is used to develop a five-year plan for capital needs; the first year’s list of capital projects becomes the District’s capital improvement program. The capacity analysis moves beyond classroom capacity to look at each school’s core capacity which is determined by the capacity of other school facilities like the cafeteria, media center, gym, and auditorium. The core capacity is used to determine school capacity.
The Master Plan concluded that certain schools are below optimum size, some cafeterias are below optimum size, many schools of choice are over capacity, and Rock Hill High School is approaching capacity while South Pointe Hill School’s enrollment has dropped to less than 70 percent capacity. All of these issues will be considered by the committee and needed facility improvements will be incorporated into the five year capital program.
Charter Schools
Rock Hill has two charter schools that provide alternative learning opportunities outside of a student’s assigned school district (see Table 4 and Map 6). Table 4: Other Primary and York Preparatory Academy – 1047 Golden Gate Ct. York Preparatory Academy is a free public charter school Secondary Institutions th Map that provides education to students in K5-12 grade who School live in South Carolina regardless of the assigned ID schooldistrict. The school is located on a 43-acre campus Charter Schools at the western edge of the Planning Area. Current school capacity is 1,600 students and the 2013/14 student 26 Riverview Academy enrollment was 1,305. 27 York Preparatory Academy Private Schools Riverwalk Academy – 505 University Blvd. 28 Saint Anne Catholic School Riverwalk Academy is a free public charter school that provides education to students in K-6 grade. The school Westminster Catawba Christian opened its doors in FY15 and currently has 230 students 29 School-Lower Campus (3K-5th) enrolled. The school plans to serve 365 students next Westminster Catawba Christian fiscal year. Riverwalk Academy plans to move to 5750 Mt. 30 School-Upper Campus (6th-12th) Gallant Road where it will add a grade level each year until College/University it is a K-12 school with a capacity of 900 students. 31 Clinton College 32 Winthrop University 33 York Technical College
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Private Schools
Rock Hill offers a number of alternatives to public school education. Rock Hill’s private educational institutions are affiliated with religious organizations and offer educational and other programs that integrate academic, arts, physical, and spiritual instruction (see Table 4 and Map 6).
Westminster Catawba Christian School (WCCS) – 1310 & 2650 India Hook Road WCCS is the largest private school in Rock Hill. Current school capacity is 605 students and the 2013/14 student enrollment was 430 children. WCCS provides Christian and traditional education for children in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. The Westminster Campus (3K- 5th) and Catawba Campus (6th-12th) are situated within two miles of one another on India Hook Road. The school’s long range plan includes exploring the possibility of combining the campuses.
Saint Anne Catholic School – 1698 Bird Street Saint Anne Catholic School (SAS) is a private/Parochial elementary and middle school (K4-8) serving Fort Mill, Rock Hill and surrounding areas with excellence in Christ-Centered, Catholic/Christian Education since 1951. SAS is accredited through the Diocese of Charleston and is affiliated with the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA). It is one of 33 Catholic Schools in South Carolina. Approximately 285 students were enrolled at SAS during the 2013/2014 school year.
York Technical College
York Technical College (YTC) is a public, two-year college that offers associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates. Over 6,900 students were enrolled in 85 programs of study during the 2012/2013 school year. YTC also provides continuing education opportunities for thousands of residents and numerous businesses (see Table 4 and Map 6).
Facilities and Operations The main campus, which is 118.5 acres in size, is located at 452 Anderson Road. The campus is made up of 15 buildings including an Administration Building, five modern classroom buildings, the Anne Springs Close Library, Student Services Building, two shop buildings, the Facilities Maintenance Building, Grounds Building, Child Development Center, a Student Center, and the Baxter M. Hood Continuing Education Center. YTC is a commuter college, so it does not offer student housing.
YTC also includes five off-campus centers on an additional 59.2 acres. Two centers, the Construction Trades Facility and the Truck Driver Training Facility, are located in Rock Hill. The remaining centers are located in Chester and Kershaw. YTC is opening a new campus in Indian Land, about 10 miles away from the main Rock Hill campus, in August 2014. The campus will accommodate about 120 students and offer university transfer and technical program academic services and classes.
Clinton College
Founded in 1894 by the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Clinton College is a private, two-year institution that was established during Reconstruction years to help eradicate illiteracy among freedmen (see Table 4 and Map 6).
Clinton College is the oldest institution of higher education in Rock Hill, operating continuously for 120 years. There were 185 students enrolled at the College during the FY14 school year. The campus sleeps 152 students and freshmen are required to live on campus.
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Facilities and Operations The campus consists of 11 buildings on a 24-acre site located at 1029 Crawford Road. Many improvements have occurred on campus over the last decade including construction of a new library, renovations of the former library into the Office of Student Affairs, and renovations to two residence halls. The College offers degree programs in Business, Liberal Arts, Religious Studies, Early Childhood/Elementary Education, and Natural Sciences. They also offer computer courses to Senior Citizens, for which there is a waiting list to attend.
Clinton College is designated as a Church related, Historically Black Institution of higher learning. As such, it is eligible for several federal grants. Between 2005 and 2007, Clinton College received a total of $1 million in HUD grants which they used to do the following projects in the Crawford Road and Sunset Park Communities: purchase, build, and sell two homes, renovate nine low-income, owner-occupied homes, and partner with the City to refurbish Carroll Park. These grants ended in late 2012/early 2013 and new HUD grants are no longer available. The College has received or currently receives Department of Education grants (including Title 3), US Department of Energy (DOE) grants, and grants from the state of South Carolina. Clinton College is currently applying for a First in the World (FITW) grant, a $75 million grant program created by the Obama Administration to encourage innovation, access, and completion in higher education.
The College is continually trying to upgrade the quality of its buildings and facilities. They have drawn up plans to develop a two-story, 101 bed student housing building on campus. They have also cleared land, completed a plan, and begun raising money for a new academic/athletic complex. The complex would consist of a three-story academic wing housing high-tech science labs, classrooms, and offices, a 600-seat auditorium, and a 750-seat gym with a wellness center.
Winthrop University Winthrop University was founded in 1886 in Columbia, South Carolina and moved to Rock Hill in 1895. The University currently offers a total of 42 undergraduate and 26 graduate degrees, with more than 100 programs of study offered through various concentrations and options in the following colleges: College of Arts and Sciences; College of Business Administration; College of Visual and Performing Arts; and the Richard W. Riley College of Winthrop University, Tillman Hall Education (see Table 4 and Map 6).
In fall 2013, approximately 5,050 undergraduate and 1,131 graduate students were enrolled in the school.
Facilities and Operations Facilities for Winthrop University are located at both the 125-acre Main Campus on Oakland Avenue and at “Winthrop Farm”, a 360-acre site located on Cherry Road.
Main Campus The Main Campus is situated in a historic district near downtown Rock Hill and houses the academic buildings, administrative offices, dormitories, library, and a student center.
Winthrop Farm Lake Area Athletic, Recreation and Research Area Winthrop’s recreational and research complex features the following recreational amenities: a tennis complex, ballpark, the Winthrop Coliseum, a golf course, a ropes course, soccer facilities, an outdoor track, a recreational sports field, and softball complex. The complex also has two
Vision 2020: The Comprehensive Plan for Rock Hill December 2015 36 Community Facilities facilities, the Olde Stone House and The Shack, available for conferences and events. Finally, the complex houses a 1.1 acre wetland project created in partnership with Rock Hill Schools
Winthrop University is working with the City and the developer of Knowledge Park to determine how to merge academic, residential, commercial, and cultural uses in Knowledge Park. The University is interested in exploring new residence options, research possibilities, and graduate and professional education opportunities in the development.
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Map 6: School Facilities
Vision 2020: The Comprehensive Plan for Rock Hill December 2015 38 Community Facilities
Parks and Recreation
The City of Rock Hill has a Parks, Recreation, and Tourism (PRT) Department that provides leisure, recreational, tourism, and cultural opportunities and facilities to Rock Hill residents and visitors.
Facilities and Operations PRT owns, operates, and maintains 31 parks totaling over 588 acres and four recreation centers (Map 7). Table 5 identifies the acreage for each of the City’s parks and recreation facilities.
Table 5: Rock Hill Parks & Recreation Centers Map Name Acres ID 1 Arcade Park 20.0 2 Arcade-Victoria Park 5.0 3 Armory Park 4.0 4 Boyd Hill Center 20.5 5 Carroll Park 11.4 6 Cedar Crest Park 0.8 7 Cherry Park 68.0 8 College Downs Park 8.0 9 Confederate Park 10.5 10 East Moore Street Park 0.8 11 Emmett Scott Center 10.3 12 Fewell Park Center 10.2 13 Fountain Park 1.5 14 Friedheim Park 4.2 15 Glencairn Garden 16.0 16 Highland Park 3.0 17 Hargett Park 19.7 18 Huckle Grove 1.0 19 Lige Street Park 2.4 20 Manchester Meadows 70.0 21 Northside Center 5.5 22 Northside Greenway and Tech Park Lakeshore Trail 3.5 23 Oakwood Acres Park 10.0 24 Peoples Park 0.1 25 River Park 70.0 26 Rock Hill Outdoor Center* 180.0 27 Rock Hill Tennis Center 5.0 28 Southland Park 6.7 29 Spencer Park 9.8 30 Winthrop Park 5.0 31 Workman Street Park 4.8
*The Rock Hill Outdoor Center could grow to approximately 250 acres with development of new areas Source: PRT
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The City has also executed joint use agreements for the Terry Complex at Winthrop University, 22 separate Rock Hill District Three school facilities, and the Rock Hill Tennis Center (See Map 7 and Table 6). PRT assists with maintaining the grounds at eight of the school facilities.
Table 6: Joint Use Facilities Map Facility ID a Belleview Elementary School* b Castle Heights Middle School* c Children's School at Sylvia Circle d Dutchmen Creek Middle School* e Ebenezer Elementary School f Ebinport Elementary School g Finley Road Elementary h Flexible Learning Center* i Lesslie Elementary School j Northside Elementary School k Northwestern High School l Oakdale Elementary School m Old Pointe Elementary School n Rawlinson Road Middle School* o Richmond Drive Elementary School p Rock Hill High School q Rosewood Elementary School r Saluda Trail Middle School* s South Pointe High School t Sullivan Middle School* u Sunset Park Elementary v Terry Complex/Eagle Park* w York Road Elementary School
*Facilities PRT assist with maintenance Source: PRT
Every year PRT produces a Facilities’ Report that summarizes the improvements that were made over the past year and documents needed park improvements and their associated costs. Over $63.5 million in projects were identified in calendar year 2014.
Existing parks in the unincorporated areas include the State of South Carolina Black Jack Heritage Preserve and Ebenezer Park. The City also has nearly 24 miles of greenways and trails as well as a plan that identifies needed trail and greenway infrastructure (See Map 7). Implementation of the plan has been slow due to budget constraints.
The City does not have an open space standard in place or a goal as far as ideal proximity to a park or recreational facility, but PRT does have an established process for recommending capital project priorities. The City has a nine-member Public Parks and Recreation Commission who recommends needed capital projects to City Council for consideration.
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Map 7: Parks and Recreation Facilities
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Libraries
The York County Library System consists of a main library, headquartered in downtown Rock Hill, and branches in Clover, Fort Mill, Lake Wylie, and York. The library system also provides a Bookmobile which visits nursing homes, daycares, and other locations throughout the York County community.
The State of South Carolina mandates that counties provide library services, but does not provide full funding for the services. The library, whose FY14 budget was $5.67 million, is funded through a combination of sources: state, county, donations, and library fines and fees. The library system is governed by a 10-member board (one member from each Council District and three at- large members).
The library system has over 1.2 million materials in circulation as well as numerous electronic resources. It also offers a variety of programs and services for residents of all ages. All York County Library locations have a meeting room for use free of charge by non-profit organizations or community groups.
The main library in Rock Hill features a Technology Center that provides users with public access to 25 computer workstations for internet access, software for adults and children, online research databases, and free computer classes. The library is home to the Nan Weller Carson Local History Room, which contains a collection of local history resources about York County and the Catawba Indians.
The York County Library System has partnered with the City and Rock Hill Schools on a community wide reading initiative called Rock Hill Reads. The program stresses the importance of reading for all ages and how reading over the summer months helps children achieve higher academic marks the following school year.
Friends of the York County Library is a non-profit organization that supports the York County Library system. Through membership dues, book sales, and special fund-raising activities, Friends of the York County Library secures funding for non-budgeted library projects and programs. The group also partners with other agencies to sponsor various library events including children’s programs and summer reading programs.
The County has been working to identify a new space for the Rock Hill library for many years. They purchased a property on White Street with the intention of using it for a joint public library and high school, but changes in management caused these plans to be put on hold. The County still owns this property, but they have not determined a use for it at this time. The County also conducted a feasibility study in FY12 to explore the possibility of a new library in partnership with Rock Hill Schools. The findings from this study were that there were not sufficient mutual benefits to carry out the plan. The County is currently exploring partnership opportunities with Winthrop University on a joint library in Knowledge Park. Regardless of the location, construction of a new facility will likely require a partnership between the County, the City, and private sector.
In addition to a new headquarters, there is also a need for additional library branches in Rock Hill and other areas of the County. Library services have not kept pace with growth and the County is behind when comparing number of libraries, number of library staff, and library budget to areas of comparable size.
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General Government Facilities
City Facilities
Many of the City’s government facilities are located in downtown Rock Hill, including City Hall, the Housing and Neighborhood Services building, the Law Center, and Municipal Court. The following City Departments are housed at these locations: Planning & Development, Parks, Recreation & Tourism, Economic and Urban Development, Housing and Neighborhood Services, Finance, Hometown Security, and Human Resources.
The majority of remaining City Departments (Utilities, Public Works, and Information Technology) are housed in the City’s Operations Center located at 757 South Anderson Road.
County Facilities
York County government currently has offices established in more than 30 buildings throughout the County; however, five primary concentrations of buildings serve as the primary focus of county government services. These include the following:
• Downtown York – The County seat located in downtown York includes the Courthouse building, which houses space for the County Auditor, Building Maintenance, Clerk of Court (Register of Deeds and Common Pleas Court), Coroner, Finance/Tax Collector and Tax Assessor; the Agricultural Building for County Council, County Manager, and other County departments; and the E.C. Black Building for the Registration and Elections offices.
• Moss Justice Center and York County Prison– Located approximately two miles east of York, this facility provides space for the Sheriff’s Office, County Detention Center, Clerk of Court (Criminal Court), Solicitor, Public Defender, Building Maintenance, and York Magistrate. In 2008, the County built a 256-bed prison behind the Moss Justice Center. The former prison which was located in the Moss Justice Center was renovated and expanded to accommodate additional housing needs for the Detention Center. The Detention Center, which is responsible for holding individuals until they post bond, are released by a court, or transferred after sentencing, has 550 beds.
• Public Works Complex – Located near the Moss Center, this complex houses Animal Control, Public Works administration, Solid Waste Collection and Recycling, Road Maintenance, Solid Waste Disposal, and Water and Sewer.
• Cherry Road Offices – This facility provides space for the Solicitor and Public Defender (Family Court), Veteran’s Affairs, Rock Hill Magistrate, Summer Feeding Program, and a district office for the Sheriff along Cherry Road in Rock Hill.
• Heckle Boulevard Complex – Adjacent to Rock Hill city limits, this complex provides space for the County Planning & Development Services Department and Tax Collection and Auditor.
• Emergency Operations Center - This facility, located in Rock Hill, houses the County’s Emergency Operations and Communications Center.
In late 2013/early 2014 the County conducted a comprehensive assessment of over 60 county departments to guide planning, funding, acquisitions, relinquishments/sales, demolition, new construction, renovations, and other facility and personnel needs over a 20-year time period. The
Vision 2020: The Comprehensive Plan for Rock Hill December 2015 43 Community Facilities assessment was used to develop a Facility Master Plan that focuses on improving the efficiency of existing buildings and getting York County out of leased or rental space. The top priority projects include construction of a new government center in eastern York County; expansion, renovations, and security enhancements to the Moss Justice Center; and a new government center in west-central York County.
State and Federal Facilities
Several state offices are located throughout the County. In downtown York, state offices include the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), and the SC Department of Social Services (DSS). The Moss Center includes offices for South Carolina Probation and Parole. Also, offices for the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, South Carolina Probation and Parole, South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice, South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department, SC DHEC and SC DSS are located in the County’s Heckle Boulevard Complex. SC Department of Transportation (DOT) District 4 offices for construction and maintenance of roadways are located on Camden Avenue and Robertson Road in the Rock Hill. The South Carolina Employment Security Commission is located on Fincher Road in Rock Hill.
Known federal offices in the Rock Hill 2020 Planning Area include U.S. Post Offices, the offices of federal legislators, the Social Security Administration, and military recruiting offices.
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